Contributing to CO2 Reduction and Soil Improvement: Ibaraki Sweet Potato Farming Corporation Conducts First 'Biochar' Application
Gurunavi, Inc., as part of a NEDO fund project, conducted its first application of 'biochar' at the agricultural fields of Hinodeya, a sweet potato farming corporation in Ibaraki Prefecture, aiming to reduce atmospheric CO2 and restore soil fertility.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 12:09 (1h 8m after Collected)
Gurunavi, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Akio Sugihara, hereafter 'Gurunavi') has been working since fiscal 2022 on the Green Innovation Fund Project (development of technologies for reducing and absorbing CO2 in the food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries) by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (hereafter 'NEDO').
Recently, biochar was applied to the soil at the agricultural fields of Hinodeya, Inc. (Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture), an agricultural corporation participating in the demonstration of this project.
As the government declares '2050 Carbon Neutrality,' aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and taking measures against global warming, Gurunavi is taking the lead in a farmland carbon storage project using biochar in the food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors under the fund project.
In this project, 'biochar,' carbonized rice husks, is applied and mixed into the soil of agricultural fields, contributing to the reduction of atmospheric CO2—a major cause of global warming—while advancing research on 'high-function biochar,' which is biochar mixed with microbial materials. The goal is to achieve environmentally friendly agriculture with a low environmental impact.
[Overview of Recent Implementation]
Hinodeya, Inc., where the biochar was applied this time, is an agricultural corporation that handles everything from the production to the processing and sale of sweet potatoes, mainly in Kasumigaura and Hokota cities. Through thorough quality control, they ship sweet potatoes year-round. Blessed with clear weather on the day, the application was carried out smoothly over about four hours. Biochar was evenly applied across vast fields and carefully mixed into the soil.
In the fields where biochar was applied this time, sweet potatoes are scheduled to be harvested this August.
[Comment from Masahiko Hamada, Production Department Leader at Hinodeya, Inc.]
'Hinodeya handles everything from sweet potato production to processing and sales consistently. We are widely popular among consumers nationwide and also export extensively to Asian countries. Currently, the decline in soil fertility and diseases due to years of continuous cropping, along with the impact of severe heatwaves where temperatures have risen 5 to 6 degrees compared to 10 years ago, have become major challenges.
To find clues to solving these issues, we newly introduced "biochar" starting this year. By increasing beneficial bacteria in the soil and restoring fertility, we aim to stabilize quality and improve yields.
Moving forward, we will pursue "sweet potatoes only Hinodeya can produce" and deliver our special taste through our direct store "Sun Patata" and online shop.'
[Comment from Gurunavi Representative]
'Through this project, Gurunavi plans to continue actively promoting the application of high-function biochar in fields across the country. Furthermore, we are preparing for the test sale of eco-friendly agricultural products grown using biochar under the brand "Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®", creating a new food cycle that connects producers and consumers.'
[About 'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®']
'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®' can be attached as a compliance mark to agricultural products that have contributed to a reduction in greenhouse gas (CO2 equivalent) emissions by 10% or more compared to standard cultivation (*2), using the 'Environmental Value Evaluation System (*1)'.
By attaching the 'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®' label, the aim is to clearly communicate environmentally valuable agricultural products to consumers and enhance their market value. We plan to conduct test sales with the 'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®' mark in the future.
(*1) What is the 'Environmental Value Evaluation System'?
A system jointly developed by Gurunavi and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), which can comprehensively and objectively evaluate the environmental value of agricultural products by inputting cultivation information such as pesticides, fertilizers, and biochar.
(*2) What is 'Standard Cultivation'?
Calculated based on standard cultivation management adopted on the soil CO2 absorption 'visualization' site (https://soilco2.rad.naro.go.jp/q8) of NARO, which differs from conventional cultivation standards in each region.
[Hinodeya, Inc.]
~From Production to Processing and Sales~
Our company was founded in 1940. Together with our own farmland and many contract farmers, we produce delicious sweet potatoes. The harvested sweet potatoes are thoroughly aged to maximize their natural sweetness. At our direct store, we sell various processed products, including baked sweet potatoes.
https://apc-hinodeya.co.jp/
[Overview of the Green Innovation Fund Project Gurunavi is Participating In]
■ Project Name: Establishment of manufacturing and application systems for high-function biochar utilizing agricultural by-products
■ Overview: Biochar, obtained by carbonizing agricultural by-products such as rice husks, can store carbon in the soil in a relatively stable form. It is expected to contribute to CO2 removal and carbon storage in agricultural lands, drawing attention as an effective method for decarbonization.
In this project, for the purpose of its dissemination, the so
Recently, biochar was applied to the soil at the agricultural fields of Hinodeya, Inc. (Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture), an agricultural corporation participating in the demonstration of this project.
As the government declares '2050 Carbon Neutrality,' aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and taking measures against global warming, Gurunavi is taking the lead in a farmland carbon storage project using biochar in the food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors under the fund project.
In this project, 'biochar,' carbonized rice husks, is applied and mixed into the soil of agricultural fields, contributing to the reduction of atmospheric CO2—a major cause of global warming—while advancing research on 'high-function biochar,' which is biochar mixed with microbial materials. The goal is to achieve environmentally friendly agriculture with a low environmental impact.
[Overview of Recent Implementation]
Hinodeya, Inc., where the biochar was applied this time, is an agricultural corporation that handles everything from the production to the processing and sale of sweet potatoes, mainly in Kasumigaura and Hokota cities. Through thorough quality control, they ship sweet potatoes year-round. Blessed with clear weather on the day, the application was carried out smoothly over about four hours. Biochar was evenly applied across vast fields and carefully mixed into the soil.
In the fields where biochar was applied this time, sweet potatoes are scheduled to be harvested this August.
[Comment from Masahiko Hamada, Production Department Leader at Hinodeya, Inc.]
'Hinodeya handles everything from sweet potato production to processing and sales consistently. We are widely popular among consumers nationwide and also export extensively to Asian countries. Currently, the decline in soil fertility and diseases due to years of continuous cropping, along with the impact of severe heatwaves where temperatures have risen 5 to 6 degrees compared to 10 years ago, have become major challenges.
To find clues to solving these issues, we newly introduced "biochar" starting this year. By increasing beneficial bacteria in the soil and restoring fertility, we aim to stabilize quality and improve yields.
Moving forward, we will pursue "sweet potatoes only Hinodeya can produce" and deliver our special taste through our direct store "Sun Patata" and online shop.'
[Comment from Gurunavi Representative]
'Through this project, Gurunavi plans to continue actively promoting the application of high-function biochar in fields across the country. Furthermore, we are preparing for the test sale of eco-friendly agricultural products grown using biochar under the brand "Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®", creating a new food cycle that connects producers and consumers.'
[About 'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®']
'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®' can be attached as a compliance mark to agricultural products that have contributed to a reduction in greenhouse gas (CO2 equivalent) emissions by 10% or more compared to standard cultivation (*2), using the 'Environmental Value Evaluation System (*1)'.
By attaching the 'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®' label, the aim is to clearly communicate environmentally valuable agricultural products to consumers and enhance their market value. We plan to conduct test sales with the 'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi®' mark in the future.
(*1) What is the 'Environmental Value Evaluation System'?
A system jointly developed by Gurunavi and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), which can comprehensively and objectively evaluate the environmental value of agricultural products by inputting cultivation information such as pesticides, fertilizers, and biochar.
(*2) What is 'Standard Cultivation'?
Calculated based on standard cultivation management adopted on the soil CO2 absorption 'visualization' site (https://soilco2.rad.naro.go.jp/q8) of NARO, which differs from conventional cultivation standards in each region.
[Hinodeya, Inc.]
~From Production to Processing and Sales~
Our company was founded in 1940. Together with our own farmland and many contract farmers, we produce delicious sweet potatoes. The harvested sweet potatoes are thoroughly aged to maximize their natural sweetness. At our direct store, we sell various processed products, including baked sweet potatoes.
https://apc-hinodeya.co.jp/
[Overview of the Green Innovation Fund Project Gurunavi is Participating In]
■ Project Name: Establishment of manufacturing and application systems for high-function biochar utilizing agricultural by-products
■ Overview: Biochar, obtained by carbonizing agricultural by-products such as rice husks, can store carbon in the soil in a relatively stable form. It is expected to contribute to CO2 removal and carbon storage in agricultural lands, drawing attention as an effective method for decarbonization.
In this project, for the purpose of its dissemination, the so
FAQ
What are the benefits of using biochar in agriculture?
In addition to decarbonization by storing CO2 in the soil, it improves the soil microbiome, restoring fertility and resilience against continuous cropping issues and extreme weather.
How can produce get the 'Mirai no Tsuchisodachi' mark?
It is awarded to agricultural products that demonstrate a 10%+ reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard cultivation, using an evaluation system developed by Gurunavi and NARO.
Where is the demonstration experiment taking place?
It is conducted at the agricultural fields of Hinodeya, a sweet potato farming corporation based in Kasumigaura and Hokota cities in Ibaraki Prefecture.